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Former New Orleans Saints defender Will Smith wasn't surprised by his release

Will Smith: Kansas City Chiefs vs. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints linebacker Will Smith (91) tries to tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) during the preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs at the Superdome on Friday, August 9, 2013. (Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)

When former New Orleans Saints defensive end/outside linebacker Will Smith was informed he'd been released after spending his entire career with the organization, he took the news in stride.

Smith's release had been speculated for months due to his age (32), injury (he missed the entire 2013 season with an ACL tear) and massive salary (due $11.55 million in 2014).

Smith had seen the numbers and talked to his coaches enough to know what was about to happen.

"I wasn't surprised," he told "NFL AM" on Friday. "I kind of knew it was coming. ... I kind of had a good idea of the cap issues and stuff like that."

But being let go the same day as Roman Harper, Jabari Greer, and Jonathan Vilma (who was not re-signed), his former Super Bowl XLIV teammates, was still difficult to digest, he said.

"It just made it a little sad knowing that all of us weren't going to be returning," Smith said. "Usually it's like one or two guys and it was all four of us that were part of the Super Bowl-winning team. ...

"It was sad to see Jonathan moving on and Roman moving on and Jabari moving on and me knowing that I'm possibly never going to play with them ever again. I had a good time playing with those guys. Those were great teammates."

Smith said he still plans on playing in the NFL next season and will sit down with his agent next week to determine possible teams where he could land.

"I had a whole year off with the ACL injury and I'm just about 100 percent," Smith said. "I'm just going to continue to work and get picked up with a team and looking forward to having a great 2014 season."

Smith said ideally, he'd like to play as a 4-3 defensive end. Smith converted to outside linebacker under Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but never played a snap at the position in the regular season.

"I think I'm at heart a 4-3 defensive end. That's something I would like to play," Smith said. "But if I go to a team that requires me to play outside linebacker, I'm cool with that too."

Smith was asked about a possible reunion with former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is now in the same position with the St. Louis Rams. Williams was suspended indefinitely in 2012 as a result of his alleged involvement in the Saints bounty scandal but was eventually reinstated.

Smith was also initially handed a four-game suspension for his own alleged involvement in the pay-for-play program, but never served it after former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue vacated the punishment.

"I never really had a problem with Gregg with the whole situation, so I wouldn't really mind playing with him. I always thought he was a great coach and a great person," Smith said.